The accusations against Doctor Marco Tulio Mendez for alleged sexual misconduct have received national attention. This is obviously due to his position not only as a doctor of medicine but probably even more so because he is the duly elected PUP Area Representative of the Orange Walk East division. Dr. Mendez has been charged and the matter is now before the court. As word of the allegations spread, supporters of the United Democratic Party from Orange Walk East held a small protest in front of the Orange Walk Town Hall demanding that Dr. Mendez step down as the Area Representative of that constituency. In an interview with the media yesterday, the Prime Minister for the first time spoke on the matter and criticized the PUP for what he deems is a reluctance to promptly react against the doctor under the allegations.

Honorable Dean Barrow – Prime Minister of Belize

“I am absolutely astonished over the fact that people generally don’t seem to have focused on the clear difference between the way the U.D.P. handled the situation with Penner and the way the P.U.P. is handling the situation with Marco Tulio Mendez. We in effect constructively expelled Penner. I see the leader of the opposition trying to tip-toe through the tulips. There is nothing forthright at all about his response to the issue and I would hope that the media will continue to challenge him on the lack of any forthrightness in terms of the situation. Admittedly, the man has not yet been tried, the man has not yet been found guilty—may never be—but there is no doubt that complaints have been lodged by minors leading to his having been charged."

Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister

"It's outrageous and I feel that legal proceedings aside, he and his party should be called to account in an unambiguous fashion over what has happened and I don't see it taking place."

Jules Vasquez

"You think he should resign as a member of the house?"

Hon. Dean Barrow

"Absolutely."

Jules Vasquez

"Would you think the same of Elvin Penner?"

Hon. Dean Barrow

"He should resign too, shouldn't he? Nobody can force them to resign but since that is the case, then the parties have to do more than engage in the kind of tokenism that we've seen from the leader of the opposition. I am absolutely astonished over the fact that, people generally, don't seem to have focused on the clear difference between the way the UDP handled the situation with Penner and the way the PUP is handling the situation with Marco Tulio Mendez. We in effect, constructively expelled Penner. I see the leader of the opposition trying to tip toe through the tulips. There's nothing forth right at all about his response to the issue."